Ticket holder for stocking supporting trays



1951 E. R. AMMON 2,564,293

TICKET HOLDER FOR STOCKING SUPPORTING TRAYS Filed March 8, 1946 IN VEN TOR.

-E VVWCRV KAM MVN Patented A g- 1 9 1 OFFICE TICKET HOLDER FOR STOCKING SUPPORTING TRAYS Edward R. Ammon, Reading, Pa.

Application March 8, 1946, Serial No. 653,035

5 Claims. (01. 40-20) This invention'relates to portable hosiery mill trays for supporting lots of stockings in vertical stacks for transportation from one manufacturing department to another and during temporary storage, and is particularly directed to the provision of identification means indicatin the character of the stockings contained in individual trays which can be examined readily without disturbing the trays or their contents and yet will not interfere with the introduction of stockings into the trays or their removal therefrom.

The object of the present invention is the securing of identification means upon a hosiery tray in out-of-the-way position while the tray is being loaded or unloaded and quickly movable into position across the front of the loaded tray in full view, which latter position may be retained during transportation or storage of the tray.

In recent years varioushosiery mills have adapted elongated stocking trays of my design and manufacture to replace the earlier practice of tying lots of stockings in bundles between succession manufacturing stages. Such trays are of approximately stocking length and width with full sides and open ends and permit stockings to be introduced through one end and stacked fiat,

one on top of the other, to an amount of two or more dozen pairs b an operator in one manufacturing department. filled they are removed from the particular department in groups, usually by placing a number of them side by side on a portable hand track, and transported to the department which is to perform the next manufacturing step.

Ordinarily the stockings in each tray :will be of a given type as to gauge, foot size, etc. In view of variations in orders as to types of stockings which a mill receives it frequently happens that trays of stockings may be stored for sometime after leaving one department before beingsent to the next department. In some instances they will be stored on the trucks used for transportation. In other stances the will be placed side by side on suitable storage shelves. Under either such practice means must be provided so that the contents of each tray may be identified whether for further processing to fill orders or for inventory purposes.

The provision of suitable stocking identifying means presents a problem because of the construction of the trays and the manner of assembling a number of the filled trays for transportation and storage, and further, because of the necessity of employing identifying means of a character which will not injure the delicate When trays have been stocking fabric yet which will be durable and not subject to accidental removal or loss from the individual trays whose contents they identify. Various expedients have been found unsatisfactory, such as securing an identification ticket in a pocket mounted on the side of a, tray where it could not be read without bodily removing the particular tray from an assembled group, or securing a ticket to the tray in such a position as to be likely to be hidden by the stack of stockings in the tray.

To overcome the problem and objections referred to the present invention provide stocking identifying means which when a tray is filled will be removably positioned at the end of the stack of stockings across one open end of the tray where it can readily be seen. When stockings are to be introduced into or removed from the tray the identifying means is shifted to a position clear of the tray end but will remain attached to the tray.

Generally described the identifying means comprises an identifying ticket adapted to receive identification indicia as to the stocking contents 'of a tray provided with a swingable supporting element for securing the ticket to one side of the.

gaged with the opposite side of the tray, either with or withoutpressure and friction against the side of a stack of stockings in the tray, to removably suspend the ticket in the open tray end between the sides in cooperation with the element secured to the first side. When the second supporting element is disengaged from the second tray side the entire assembly of the ticket and supporting elements will swing to a position along the first side so as to avoid obstruction of the open tray end during transfer of stockings to or from the tray. v

The several ticket supporting elements will preferably be flexible non-metallic material and will also preferably engage the respective tray sides without the use of hooks or protrudin studs, all to avoid likelihood of injur to the delicate fabric of the stockings. The first supporting element will desirably be permanently secured to its side of the tray by suitable connecting means.

.The second supporting element in the embodibeing slipped over the upper edge of the side to a supporting position inwardly of the tray end.

The several supporting elements will be detachable from the ticket so that used tickets can be replaced by new ones to properly identify each stack of stockings in the tray at different times. Also the elements should connect with spaced points of the ticket in such manner that the ticket will .be suspended vertically in the open end with its face parallel to the plans of the end so that it can be read without handling. Both elements can comprise fabric tape adapted to be frictionally engaged with the ticket through ticket apertures of smaller diameter than the width of the tape.

Having generally indicated the nature of the invention reference is now made to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof and the detailed description which follows.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of .an empty hosiery mill magazine tray equipped with my improved ticket-holding means;

Fig. ,2 is a front elevation thereof stacked w-it stockings in process of manufacture; and,

Fig. 3 is .a front elevationof a plurality of filled trays in side by side position upon a support.

Referring now to the drawings, reference number I designates a hosiery mill magazine tray having a floor portion II of a horizontal length approximately equal to. the length .of a stocking, and a pair of opposing side .members I2 and I3. The heightof the side members can be varied according to the stocking holding capacity desired. I prefer to make the side members I2 and I3 relatively tall so that a minimum of two dozen, and in many instances as many as six dozen stockings may be stacked at one time in the tray. In order that the tray may be portable and easily handled weight is kept ata minimum, Accordingly, side members I2 .and I3 are preferably constructed of relatively thin but substantially rigid material, as for example, fiberboard cover with a fabric such as canvas to protect the stockings against snagging. The floor portion I I interconnects the side members I2 and I3throughout their entire length,

such bottom member providing a supporting portion for the stockings upon the tray. To aid in transporting tray III with its contents, I provide a pair of handles I4, herein shown as comprised of strong fabric secured to the outside walls of the side members I2 and I3 throughout substantially their entire height, Such handles may be sewed to the fabric covering the side members or otherwise suitably secured. Stockings I5 are stacked between side members I2 andl3 of the tray after completion of one operation thereon for convenience in transporting to another department in the mill, where another operation is to be. performed. Usually a plurality of filled trays are temporarily placed on shelf I6 of a truck or rack side by side and in close proximity to each other, substantially as shown in Fig. 3. Then a number of trays are simultaneously moved into the next department of the mill.

Information concerning the stockings in each tray is indicated by data marked on the ticket I! of such tray, such as gauge, foot length, style, quantity or the stage of manufacture. For example, completion of the looping operation will be indicated by check marks or other suitable data on one line and completion of inspection ,bysuitable check marks on another line of ticket II. It will be obvious, therefore, that the mounting of the ticket upon the tray in a position where it can be conveniently read without loss of time is important, particularly when trays are arranged side by side, substantially as shown in Fig. 3. The mounting of the ticket disclosed herein enables a quick reading of the data on the ticket without moving a tray or lifting the ticket from its suspended position.

As-best shown in Figs. 1- and 2 an elongated supporting element I8 is provided to secure ticket H to one side I2 of the tray adjacent the open end, the same being flexible and taking the form of a length of woven fabric tape. The end of element I8 is secured to the side I2 by fastening means which will not snag the stockings, such as stitching I9 which engages the canvas cover on the outer wall of side I2.

A second elongated ticket supporting element 2i! is also provided to detachably engage the opposite side I3 of the tray. In the present embodiment this also comprises a length of fabric tape and to attain an advantage hereinafter referred to is made integral with the first supporting element I8.

Supporting element 20 may be detachably engaged with tray side I3 in various ways, as by merely draping it over the upper edge of the side and returning it through the frictional contact of the flexible tape with the canvas cover of the side I2, or by slipping it between side I3 and the stack of stockings which tend to press against the side and press the tape into frictional supporting engagement therewith. It is preferred, however, to provide means'for positively connecting element 20 to side I3.- Such connecting means is conveniently provided by an elongated loop 2!, here formed by doubling the tape of element 20 upon itself. The return side 22 of the tape may be extended for the full length of both elements '20 and I8 and securedat its end, together with the end of element II} by stitching I9.

It will be evident from Fig. 1 that both the ticket I! and its suspending elements I8 and 20 are in an out-of-the-way position when the operator is filling the tray with stockings through the open tray end. When the operator has completed such operation, the ticket may quickly be suspended across the open end "of the tray by merely raising the looped portion 2I of the suspending element 20 and slipping it over the upper corner of the other side member, as, I3, 01' the tray. In such position, the looped portion encircles the upper corner of side member I3, resting upon its upper edge, substantially as shown in Fig. 2. The tray may then be 'lifted by grasping handles I4, placed upon a truck or rack, or manually carried from one department to another without disturbing the position of ticket I I. When a plurality of trays are positioned side by side in close proximity to each other, the ticket of each may readily be read without handling of the ticket. Then when it is desired to perform another operation upon the contents of the tray, its ticket I1 and suspending elements I8 and 20 are quickly swung to out-ofthe-way position by merely sliding the looped portion 2| from the corner of side member I3, the ticket and suspending members falling by gravity into the position shown in Fig. 1.

The connection between ticket I? and supporting elements I8 and 20 should be such that in the viewing position ticket Ii will hang vertically with its face parallel to the end of the tray so that the ticket may be read without'handling.

Also the ticketshould be readily detachable from elements 18 and 20 so that it may easily be replaced by a new ticket when the tray is emptied and a new .stack of stockings is placed in the tray. Both of these objects may be obtained conveniently where, as here, elements [8 and 20 comprise a continuous length of flexible tape, by providing ticket I! with a pair of laterally spaced apertures 23 and 24 adjacent the upper ticket edge through which the tape may thread in the manner shown best in Fig. 1. By making'such apertures of smaller diameter than the width of the tape the ticket will be frictionally held in position on the tape with elements l8 and 20 extending in opposite directions from the ticket.

From the above, it will be obvious that my improved ticket suspending means has several advantages. It is smooth and non-metallic, and accordingly incapable of making pull-threads; it enables maintenance of the ticket in full view even when the trays are placed side by side in close proximity; it may be quickly moved to an out-of-the-way position and as quickly replaced to its position across the open end of the tray whenever desired. Its greatest advantage, however, is the time saving incident to maintenance of the ticket in easily read position without handling. Much needless confusion and checking over of tickets is avoided, a mere glance at the exposed data being suflicient to inform each operator or checker just what has already been performed on the contents of the tray.

The tray is of particular utility in, and for transportation between, the seaming and inspecting departments of'a hosiery mill. As stockings are seamed by an operator in the seaming department they will be stacked one by one in a tray supported in position adjacent the machine. When one tray is filled the ticket I! will be filled out with desired information and be suspending in viewing position in the manner previously explained. Whether with or without intermediate temporary storage the tray will be transported to the inspecting department. There it may be mounted in an inspecting machine so that stockings may be withdrawn through the open tray end and to the inspecting form for inspection, all as more fully explained in my companion application, Serial No. 564,589, filed November 22, 1944, now abandoned. The inspecting machine operator may check the ticket either before or after it is placed in the machine so that she will know the character of the stockings to be inspected. Before inspection is commenced the ticket and its supporting elements will be dropped to there oif- While I have illustrated and described what I' now regard as a practical and efficient construction for the embodiment of the proposed improvements, it is to be understood that the form of construction shown is to be deemed merely illustrative and as susceptible of various changes or modifications within the spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. The combination of an open-ended hosiery supporting tray having spaced opposite sides, an identification ticket for informative data as to the contents of the tray and flexible strand supporting means connected to the ticket and suspending the ticket between the opposite sides of the tray at the open end of the tray, said supporting means including a part projecting beyond one side margin of the ticket and secured to one 6. side of the tray adjacent the open tray end and a further part projecting beyond the opposite side margin of the ticket and supported by the second side of the tray adjacent said open tray end, said latter part being removable from the second side of the tray so that the ticket may be swung away from the open my end and suspended by the first part of the supporting means in a position adjacent the first side of the tray.

2. The combination of an open-ended hosiery supporting tray having spaced opposite sides, an identification ticket for informative data as to the contents of the tray and flexible strand supporting means connected to the ticket and suspending the ticket between the opposite sides of the tray at the open end of the tray, said supporting means including a part projecting beyond one side margin of the ticket and secured to one side of the tray adjacent the open tray end and a further part projecting beyond the opposite side margin of the ticket and supported by the second side of the tray adjacent said open tray end, said latter part having a loop embracing the upper corner of the second side of the tray and being removable from said tray corner so that the ticket may be swung away from the open tray end and suspended by the first part of the supporting means in a position adjacent the first side of the tray.

3. The combination of an open-ended hosiery supporting tray having spaced opposite sides, an identification ticket for informative data as to the centents of the tray and having laterally spaced apertures located adjacent the upper margin of the ticket and flexible strand supporting means connecting with the ticket through said ticket apertures and suspending the ticket between the opposite sides of the tray at the open end of the tray, said supporting means including a part projecting beyond one side margin of the ticket and secured toone side of the tray adjacent the open tray end and a further part projecting beyond the opposite side margin of the ticket and supported by the second side of the tray adjacent said open tray end, said latter part having a loop embracing the upper corner of the second side of the tray and being removable from said tray corner so that the ticket may be swung away from the open tray end and suspended by the first part of the supporting means in a position adjacent the first side of the tray.

4. Identification means for an open-ended hosiery tray having spaced opposite sides comprising an identification tag for informative data as to the contents of such a tray and flexible strand supporting means adapted to suspend the ticket from the opposite sides of a tray at the open end and connecting with the ticket only adjacent the upper margin of the ticket, said supporting means including a part projecting beyond one side margin of the ticket and having an end adapted to be secured to one side of a tray and a further part projecting beyond the opposite side margin of the ticket and having a loop adapted to removably embrace the upper corner of the second side of a tray.

5. Identification means for an open-ended hosiery tray having spaced opposite sides comprising an identification tag for informative data as to the contents of such a tray having laterally spaced apertures located adjacent the upper margin of the ticket and flexible strand supporting means connecting with the ticket through said ticket apertures and adapted to suspend the ticket from the opposite sides of a tray at the open end 'I' and connecting with the ticket onlyadjacent the REFERENCES CITED nppermargm'oftheticket"said'supporting means The following references are of record in the includinga part projecting beyond one side marme of this patent: r gin of the ticket and having an end adapted to be V secured to one side of a tray-and a further part 5 UNITED STATES 'rs projecting beyond the opposite side margin of the Number Name Date ticket and having a loop adapted. to removably 735,874 Herbert; Aug, 11, 1903 embrace the upper corner of the second side of. a

FOREIGN PATENTS EDWARD R AMMQN, 10 Number Country Date 13,396 Great Britain Sept. 29, 191

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